51 PES officers transferred, but no substitutes provided to schools

Punjab education secretary Anjali Bawra has transferred 51 Punjab Education Services (PES) officers (school and inspection group A) from various districts of Punjab, and yet again not provided substitutes to the schools and departments from where these officers have been transferred.

Already nine posts of principal are lying vacant in the 144 government senior secondary schools of the district, and with these transfers, the number has increased to 12.Total sanctioned posts of principal in the district are 145.

The post of principal is lying vacant in GSSS-Raikot for the past five months. The school's principal, Jasbir Kaur Arora, was transferred to GSSS-Moro, Jalandhar, on October 22. But a substitute for her has not been provided.

Besides the school in Raikot, even GSSS-Manuke, GSSS-Sahpur, GSSS-Mangat, GSSS boys-Jagraon, GSSS-Raikot, GSSS-Barundi, GSSS- Mahena Kalan and GSSS-Littran are among the schools that are now without principals.

A government school principal, requesting anonymity, said, "The authorities must provide substitutes to the government schools when they conduct transfers, as it is difficult to manage schools without principals.

Despite repeated attempts, Punjab education secretary Anjali Bawra was not available for comment.

When contacted, Sikander Singh Maluka, Punjab education minister, said, "The officers had applied for transfers, so they were transferred. We are trying our best to fill the vacant posts of principal in all districts of Punjab."